§9105a National Museum and Library Services Board

Summary

Creates a National Museum and Library Services Board inside the Institute and spells out who is on it, how long they serve, and what they do. The board includes the Director, the Deputy Director for Library Services, the Deputy Director for Museum Services, and 20 people the President appoints (10 for libraries and 10 for museums). Of the 10 library appointees, five must be professional librarians or information specialists (including at least one with electronic/technical expertise and at least one who knows the needs of underserved or rural communities); the others must have special competence in U.S. library needs. Of the 10 museum appointees, five must be museum professionals representing a broad range of museum resources or types (including science, history, technology, art, zoos, botanical gardens, and children’s museums); the rest must have broad museum knowledge or commitment. Appointments must reflect different U.S. regions, including rural areas, and no more than three appointed members may be from any one State. The President should consider fair representation of women, minorities, and people with disabilities. The Director, the two Deputies, and the Institute’s General Counsel are nonvoting members. Appointed members serve 5-year terms, with the President staggering terms so no more than four expire in the same year. Vacancies are filled for the rest of the term. No appointed member who has served more than 7 consecutive years can be reappointed. Members stay on until successors take office. The board must advise the Director on museum, library, and information policies and on national awards and medals. The Director is the board’s Chair and the General Counsel is the Secretary. The board must meet at least twice a year and when the Director calls a meeting. Decisions need a majority vote of voting members present. A majority of voting members is a quorum for official business. Nonfederal members may be paid up to the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate for positions above GS–15 (per 5 U.S.C. 5108) for days worked, and all members get travel pay under federal travel rules. The Director, with the board’s advice, coordinates development and carrying out of certain museum and library policies and activities.